Considering the three items on Rob Hagelberg’s list of things he can’t live without – his family and friends, music and the great outdoors – it’s pretty incredible he didn’t land in Austin sooner.

Now as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Austin, he’s the first to sing the city’s praises and admit it’s a perfect fit. “You’d have to be living under a rock not to know that Austin has become a very cosmopolitan, diverse and desirable city to live and work in.”

Before moving to assume the reins of the 291-room property in Texas’ capital though, he had to first make his way up the ranks of the hotel business.

After graduating from Michigan State University’s School of Hospitality Business, Rob worked the front desks of Radisson and Hilton hotels around Florida, often wearing multiple hats as is common at such franchises. “I did just about everything you could in a hotel – all the IT, systems programming, accounts receivable, the gift shop, food and beverage, you name it,” he says. “It was such an incredible learning experience.”

This breadth of experience would be of benefit when Rob moved to the Ocean Grand in Palm Beach, Florida in 1993 as front office manager. Within three months, the hotel’s management contract was turned over to Four Seasons and a team was dispatched to educate the staff on the company’s renowned culture. “I remember thinking, that’s how I believe business should be done and I want to be a part of that. I got on board pretty quickly and tried to bring that culture to my own work approach.” Clearly someone noticed, as Rob was promoted within a week.

What followed is a storied career with Four Seasons that’s spanned nearly two decades and positions at five properties including Palm Beach, Houston, Boston, Scottsdale and most recently Westlake Village, California, which he helped open as Hotel Manager. “Being a part of a Hotel opening was fascinating,” he says. “The experience of recruiting the staff, training them and building a culture – it was something I always wanted to do.”

At Westlake Village, Rob also took on a role unique to the company when he became the executive director of the California Health & Longevity Institute, a revolutionary medical clinic adjacent to and affiliated with the Hotel. Through his involvement with the clinic, his personal interest in health and wellness grew, altering his outlook on life and rekindling a love for tennis, golf and pretty much anything in the great outdoors (see #3 on Rob’s list).

As for his goals as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Austin, Rob says his number one objective is to position the Hotel even more at the heart of the community. “I want the Hotel to reflect in a lot of different ways – whether through the staff, the physical product or the guest experience – the essence and spirit of Austin.”

Since most Austinites would say music, the great outdoors and friends and family are key to the city’s appeal, we think he’s already got a head start.